Lifter roof



March 28, .1944. o. A. BAILEY 2,345,174

' LIFTER nooF' Filed nee. 8,1941 2 Sheeizs-Sheeii Fade/(Z07 M27562)? 75342 2' Zgy,

Q W2 %M/% @g March 28, 1944. o. A. BAIILEY 2,345,174

LIFTER ROOF Filed Dec. a, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fooopo I77 037975627? fiazzgg Patented Mar. 28, 1944 UNITED LIFTER ROOF Otterbein A. Bailey, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, a corporation of Illinois Application, December 8, 1941, Serial No. 422,175

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in lifter roofs and more especially such a device in connection with a tank, shell or container adapted for the storage of gases, or of volatile liquids.

Among the features of my invention is the provision of stabilizing means for the roof to prevent it from tipping or tilting. The stablizing means insures that the roof remains horizontal in its vertical movements.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view, and Fig. 4 is a view taken as indicated by the line i of Fig. 3.

As shown in the drawings, It indicates a cylindrical shell or tank and II the bottom thereof.

12 indicates a vertically movable roof with the stiifening girders 12a. The outer edge of the roof is preferably provided with a depending flange or apron I21).

[3 indicates a flexible fabric seal connecting the lower edge of the apron 12b to the tank wall 10 near its upper edge. This seal permits vertical movements of the roof, at the same time sealing the tank against loss of vapor.

l4, 14 indicate two pairs of vertical rack bars mounted on the inside of the tank shell l near the upper edge, the two rack bars of each pair being diametrically arranged, and the four rack bars spaced 90 apart around the circumference of the shell.

The roof l2 carries two shafts I5, 15 arranged at right-angles to each other, each shaft having a pinion 46 on each end, and each of said shafts connecting a pair of the rack bars. As here shown, the shafts I5 are mounted in bearings at the lower ends of the vertical members H, I"! carried by the roof.

In the operation EOf the device, vertical move ment of the roof at one point causes rotation of the pinions adjacent that point, which rotation is transmitted through the shafts to the pinions on the other ends so that the opposite points on the roof are moved accordingly. This prevents tipping or tilting.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications.

Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claim, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letter Patent, is:

A storage tank, comprising: .a. substantially cylindrical shell; a vertically movable roof; a plurality of pairs of rack bars attached to the shell, the two rack bars of each pair being substantially diametrically arranged; and a. shaft carried by the roof with pinions on the end connecting each pair of rack bars.

O'I'I'ERBEIN A. BAILEY. 

